Metro Atlanta's best shaded hikes

👋🏽 Kristal here.

I love taking a good walk, but getting outside in Atlanta during the summer is like walking into a 400-degree oven that has its own humidifier.

So I'm always on the hunt for a good place where I can take my dog Hannah and go for a shady walk. Here are some places I think are worth checking out:

Leita Thompson Memorial Park

• This park in Roswell has a trail network that's popular with runners and walkers, and paths that are based on exertion levels. There's also a dog park and a pretty cool lake deep within the park.
• A word of advice: There are some hills, but nothing too crazy. Just be prepared for a good workout.

Tanyard Creek Park

• A segment of the Beltline's Northside Trail runs through the Collier Hills park, providing access to Ardmore Park, the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center and the Bobby Jones Golf Course.
• Heads up: The park has plenty of trees but limited parking and no restrooms.

Woodlands Garden

• The 7-acre greenspace on the edge of Decatur has plenty of beech, sassafras and dogwoods to keep covered and cool.

Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins

• You can check out this one via the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's entrance at Sope Creek . The walk is easy, and the ruins are magnificent

Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill

• Beautiful waterfall. Enough said.

Sweetwater Creek State Park

• Another beautiful park west of Atlanta that has mill ruins you can check out. Views of the creek are also splendid.

Any nature preserve

• Cascade Springs , Lake Charlotte , Big Trees , Blue Heron and Morningside and other preserves around town are intended to remain relatively wild, which means more trees.

Did we miss any others? Tell us! Just email atlanta@axios.com.

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